Mahabharata — Vana Parva, Shloka 32
प्रावृट्-शरत्-वर्णनम् — Description of the Monsoon and Autumn; Sarasvatī in the Pāṇḍavas’ Exile
नागायुतसमप्राण: सिंहस्कन्धो महाभुज: गृहीतो व्यजहात् सत्त्वं वरदानविमोहितः
nāgāyutasamaprāṇaḥ siṁhaskandho mahābhujaḥ gṛhīto vyajahāt sattvaṁ varadānavimohitaḥ
وَیشَمپایَن نے کہا— اس کی جان کی قوت دس ہزار ہاتھیوں کے برابر تھی؛ کندھے شیر جیسے اور بازو نہایت قوی۔ پھر بھی سانپ کو عطا کیے گئے ور کے اثر سے اس کا دل و دماغ مسحور ہو گیا، اور پکڑے جاتے ہی اس نے اپنا حوصلہ کھو دیا۔
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Physical might and heroic attributes do not guarantee steadiness; when the mind is clouded by moha and when a boon-backed power operates, even the strong can lose resolve. The verse highlights the ethical need for inner clarity and humility before forces sanctioned by dharma or divine ordinance.
A powerful, lion-shouldered, mighty-armed figure is caught in a serpent’s grip. Despite immense vitality—likened to ten thousand elephants—he becomes bewildered due to the serpent’s boon and, once seized, abandons his courage.